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Claudia Montgomery is being remembered as a much-loved mum and treasured wife, who touched the hearts of many around the world.
Montgomery, wife of acclaimed Kiwi sports broadcaster Peter “PJ” Montgomery, passed away at the couple’s Takapuna, Auckland home on Monday.
She was 78.
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie said her death will be a significant loss for the global yachting community but more so for Peter and her children.
“She was an amazing and supportive mum to Kate and Johnny and allowed PJ to do what he was so good at - being a great commentator of many sports, including yachting for which he is world-renowned,” Abercrombie said.
“Claudia travelled with and supported him; she was friends with everyone she touched and one of the most even, loving and considered people I knew. A great many people and close friends around the world will miss her.”
Longtime friend and prominent yachting figure John Street said while Claudia battled cancer years ago, she was seemingly in good health before her death.
"My wife and I saw her only a few weeks ago at the launch of [former America’s Cup sailor and Paralympian] Rick Dodson’s book and she looked terrific."
Friends and family were struggling to come to terms with Claudia's passing.
“We've been friends for 55, 60 years and she was hugely supportive of Peter's activities and attended all the yachting functions that he was involved in," Street said.
“It was a hell of a shock. We are all shattered.”
A service to celebrate Claudia’s life will be held in the North Harbour Chapel of Dil’s Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road in Albany on Tuesday, August 15 at 2.30pm.
Photo: Johnny, Claudia, Peter and Kate Montgomery at the 2015 launch of Peter's biography The Voice of Yachting. Credit / Norrie Montgomery
